CID records statements from module-trained teachers

Today (30), Gangodawila Magistrate Ms. Ruwanthika Marasinghe ordered the Criminal Investigation Department to expedite the investigations into the problematic issue contained in the Grade 6 English subject module prepared under the new education reforms. The Magistrate emphasized that statements should be recorded from teachers who received training on this module, and steps should be taken to swiftly conclude the investigations.

This order was issued when the Criminal Investigation Department reported to the court the progress of investigations regarding the mention of an inappropriate website name for children within the subject module. Based on an order from the Gangodawila Magistrate's Court, investigating officers today also filed relevant facts before the court.

Here, President's Counsel Maithri Gunaratne, appearing for the aggrieved party, stated before the court that the Criminal Investigation Department's investigations into the incident are progressing very slowly. The President's Counsel also strongly accused that this serious incident, for which the Minister of Education and the Ministry Secretary, along with other high-ranking officials, are responsible, has been attempted to be downplayed as a simple matter merely by suspending two officials.

Furthermore, the lawyer pointed out that although information regarding the problematic website was mentioned on pages 51 and 52 of the relevant module, the report submitted by the investigating officers to the court indicated that this information was contained on pages 47 and 48. In response, the police stated that they had submitted a module printed on December 23, 2025, to the court. However, lawyers for the intervening party argued that this was not the original module used to train teachers, and that investigating officers had submitted a different module to the court.

Considering these facts, the Magistrate ordered that both copies of the relevant module be submitted to the court as case exhibits. Furthermore, when asked about the suspension of two officials related to the incident, the investigating officers replied that the two officials who prepared the module were suspended based on an internal inquiry by the Ministry.

The Magistrate pointed out that it should be deeply investigated whether this incident was merely official negligence or a deliberate act. She also stated that it is essential to obtain testimonies from teachers who were trained using the module to ascertain whether there has been any misuse of public property through this incident.

The Magistrate stated that if there is any suspicion regarding the Secretary to the Ministry of Education in relation to the incident, he should also be a witness in this case. Accordingly, Gangodawila Magistrate Ms. Ruwanthika Marasinghe issued orders to the Criminal Investigation Department to report further progress of the investigations to the court on the upcoming February 20th.